Cuddly Bears
Childminder in Smethwick
My Summary
Rooted In Nature | Ready For School | Inspiring Curious Minds Through Play, Nature And Adventure
About Me
Welcome to Cuddly Bears Little Explorers!
I’m Monique, an OFSTED-rated Good registered childminder providing a warm, home-from-home setting where children are encouraged to learn, explore and grow.
At Cuddly Bears Little Explorers, we believe childhood should be filled with curiosity, adventure and meaningful play. Rooted in nature and inspired by children’s interests, our days are carefully planned to encourage confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning while preparing every child for school.
We follow the EYFS framework and provide personalised learning experiences tailored to each child’s individual stage of development. Through a balance of child-led exploration and adult-guided activities, children enjoy arts and crafts, baking, gardening, sensory play, outdoor adventures, storytelling, messy play and hands-on learning every day.
Children benefit from nutritious home-cooked meals, a dedicated learning cabin, a secure outdoor play space and regular outings within the local community to extend their learning beyond the setting.
I regularly attend professional training to ensure I provide the highest standard of care, including safeguarding, first aid and early years development. I work closely with local early years professionals to continually improve the experiences I offer.
Whether you’re looking for full-time childcare, funded places, wraparound care , overnight care or holiday provision, my aim is to provide a nurturing environment where every child feels safe, valued and excited to learn.
? Rooted in Nature. Ready for School. More Than Childcare. It’s an Adventure in Learning.
OFSTED Rated: GOOD
My Experience
My Experience
I have over 15 years of experience as a registered childminder and previously spent 7 years working as a Healthcare Assistant in both the NHS and private healthcare. This background has given me a strong understanding of children’s wellbeing, health, safeguarding and providing compassionate care.
I regularly complete professional training to ensure I provide the highest quality childcare and remain up to date with the latest guidance and best practice.
Qualifications and Professional Training
• OFSTED Registered (Rated GOOD)
• Full Paediatric First Aid
• Safeguarding Children
• Food Hygiene
• Enhanced DBS Checked
• WellComm Trained
• SEND Awareness
• Regular Early Years Professional Development
• Fully Insured
• Full UK Driving Licence
My experience, combined with a genuine passion for helping children learn through play, allows me to provide a safe, nurturing environment where every child can grow in confidence and develop the skills they need for school and beyond.
I have experience supporting children with a range of individual needs and work closely with families to provide personalised care that meets each child’s unique strengths and needs. My aim is to create a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child feels valued, builds confidence and develops the skills they need to thrive at school and beyond.
My Qualifications
Diploma in home based childcare
Certificate in health and social care gained from the Open University
In the process of doing a degree in children and young adults
Other personal training related to childcare
My Availability
Monday to Fridays 5:30 am to 8:45 pm can be flexibly please contact to discuss your needs .
Services Offered :
Able to offer care in the early morning and late evenings
Overnight care
Able to accommodate the childcare needs of parents who work shifts or irregular hours
Have references available
Regular outings to the park, local shops, library
Regular visits to drop-ins for children to mix with larger groups
Provide educational toys
Access to a toy library for large items
Provide a creative and enjoyable learning environment
Offer lots of activities ,arts and crafts, reading, outdoor play, dressing up, and imaginative play
I also offer pick up and drop off to a place or person of your choice, example Nan's or family friend or a play group.
Drop-offs and pick-ups also for after schools activities and regular after school hours. In the Smethwick area .
Breakfast and light snacks and dinner provided
I also offer a free trial period
Schools I operate in : Shireland Primary , St Philips Catholic Primary, Cape hill Primary, Victoria Park Primary and Uplands Primary
My Fees
- Childminding from £4.85 per hour
Please contact for details
My Local Schools
- I provide drop offs at St Philip's Catholic Primary School
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Victoria Park Primary
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Shireland Collegiate Academy
- I provide drop offs and pick ups at Cape Primary School
My Ofsted Inspections
The inspection grades below have been obtained from the Ofsted website based upon the registration number the childminder has provided to us. You should verify this information yourself prior to using the childminder.
My Documents
- Ofsted Certificate (added 13/04/2020)
Reviews
5 out of 5
Latest reviews
Below are the latest reviews for Cuddly Bears. Please note that reviews represent the subjective opinions of other Childcare.co.uk members and not of Childcare.co.uk. Parents must carry out their own checks and references on childcare providers to ensure that they are completely happy before enaging in the use of their services.
I have used Monique as a child care provider for the past 9 years ever since she first began her journey. It has been amazing to see, all my children have attended Cuddly bears at some point and have never forgotten Aunty Monique, my daughter still points out the house passing and remembers all the things they used to do.
This is most definitely an active child minder the children are always out on trips or just around the local community at parks and nature reserves, educational but fun. They are introduced to new and exciting things each day, they also get to explore the wonderful playroom as well as the adventurous garden with the muddy kitchen.
Parents are always kept in the loop with the daily activities and your child’s progress. If looking for a child minder who is dedicated to your children’s development and flexible and hard working then look no further cuddly bears is the one.
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Kirsty F
on 18/02/2022
Response by
Cuddly Bears
on 05/10/2022:
Thank you so much Kirsty for your lovely review. :-)
My 2 children attended Cuddly Bears childminder. My son started attending Cuddly Bears just after his 1st birthday and with the support of Monique, hit some milestones that he did not at home. The best part of it, I felt like I was present when he hit those milestones. Monique would take videos and photos and send them to me. Saying this, Monique exercises confidentiality and GDPR.
My daughter attended afterschool club whilst at Primary school at Cuddly Bears and enjoyed every moment.
Both kids loves Monique to date and my son who is now 7 still remembers her name, face and car. Monique has surely left an imprint on him and also me as a parent. I was reassured that my baby was in good hands although upset that I had to leave him to continue my university studies.
The environment is very hygienic.
I would recommend this childminder service to anyone.
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Michelle
on 01/02/2022
Cuddly B has provided exceptional care to my two children. My son has attended this settings since he was 4 weeks old. The provider is attentive and treated my son really well. The kids enjoyed staying at the settings. My son was well prepared to start school when it came to the time because the provider ensured that his academic standard was up to the national level.
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Tash
on 27/01/2022
My daughter has attended cuddly bears since she was 6 months old, she is now 9 years of age. Cuddly bears has always been a welcoming environment where I have seen many children flourish over the years. The children are exposed to different experiences and often Partake in fun activities.
Cuddly bears is a place of comfort and joy, on many occasions I hear the children laughing and always see happy smiling children.
My daughter has always been settled within the establishment and looks forward to attending after school.
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Foxy
on 27/01/2022
My son's experience here was very good.
He still requests to go back there.....he was there 3 years ago! The only reason he stopped was that my working pattern changed.
Monique was very flexible, prepared nice meals for the kids and made sure they had lots of appropriate recreation.
She was also like a second Mum to my son so I was happy to leave him in her care.
I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for child care without hesitation.
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NordiKoo
on 26/01/2022
Monique is very flexible and reliable. I’m ever so grateful to her. She accommodated both my children and all our demands. So happy we found her. The children loves her. Monique is very creative and fun. She does a lot of educational things with the children she’s very much invested in their leaning and development. Monique is very patient and a great childminder. I am very glad I took the recommendation that was given!
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Neisha C
on 26/01/2022
Cuddly B is a great setting. I have used this setting for two children. My children have excelled and were far advanced by the time they got to school. They were well looked after and I would not think twice about using the service or recommending it for others.
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Candiece
on 25/01/2022
I would not hesitate to recommend your service to any parent. You make children feel loved, home away from home, learning activities for children to enjoy. You are passionate with what you do and go the extra mile for your clients always having a smile on your face. You offer a fantastic service.
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Funtime
on 07/09/2021
Response by
Cuddly Bears
on 07/09/2021:
Thank you very much , I appreciate you taking the time to give a review x
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This profile was last updated on 4th July 2026 and has been produced from information provided to us by the user. We have not verified or confirmed the accuracy of any of the information and members should undertake their own vigorous checks and references. Please ensure you read our Safety Advice and information on how to Check Childcare Provider Documents.